Actor. He is best-remembered as Carmine "The Big Ragoo" Ragusa from the hit ABC television sitcom "Laverne & Shirley" (1976 to 1983). Born the son of Mariam, a dry cleaning presser, and Vahe Vaughn Mekjian, a factory worker. His family was of Armenian descent. His father was a World War II veteran. He graduated from Burncoat High School and attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston. In the early 1970s, Mekka headed the Worcester County Light Opera in Massachusetts, teaching young people how to sing. After performing on Broadway in The Lieutenant, for which he was nominated for a Tony Award, he moved to Los Angeles, California. He landed the role of Carmine "The Big Ragoo" Ragusa for the Garry Marshall-ABC sitcom, "Laverne & Shirley" in 1976, acting on the series until it was canceled in 1983. From 1982 until 2012, he appeared in over 50 productions throughout his career. His most recent television appearances included "The Suite Life of Zack & Cody," "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia," "The Bold and the Beautiful" and as Detective Murdoch in the Fox TV movie "Catch Me If You Can." He also appeared on stage in "Hairspray" at the Luxor in Las Vegas, Nevada and in a national tour of "Grease" with Cindy Williams. He had a small role in the Penny Marshall-directed film, "A League of Their Own" (1992) as the dance partner of Mae (Madonna) in the bar. Mekka returned to Off-Broadway theatre on July 15, 2008, starring in Steve Solomon's long-running comedy My Mother's Italian, My Father's Jewish & I'm In Therapy! at the Westside Theatre. Mekka reunited with his Laverne & Shirley co-star Cindy Williams in a November 2008 regional production of the Renée Taylor-Joseph Bologna comedy play It Had to Be You. In 2008, Mekka wrapped production in the independent film Code Enforcer. He starred opposite Erin Moran of Happy Days. In 2010, Mekka starred as Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof at the John W. Engeman Theater in Northport, New York, from April 29 until June 20. At the time of his death, he was married to Yvonne Marie Grace and they had one child. He passed away less than a year after co-star David Lander.
Actor. He is best-remembered as Carmine "The Big Ragoo" Ragusa from the hit ABC television sitcom "Laverne & Shirley" (1976 to 1983). Born the son of Mariam, a dry cleaning presser, and Vahe Vaughn Mekjian, a factory worker. His family was of Armenian descent. His father was a World War II veteran. He graduated from Burncoat High School and attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston. In the early 1970s, Mekka headed the Worcester County Light Opera in Massachusetts, teaching young people how to sing. After performing on Broadway in The Lieutenant, for which he was nominated for a Tony Award, he moved to Los Angeles, California. He landed the role of Carmine "The Big Ragoo" Ragusa for the Garry Marshall-ABC sitcom, "Laverne & Shirley" in 1976, acting on the series until it was canceled in 1983. From 1982 until 2012, he appeared in over 50 productions throughout his career. His most recent television appearances included "The Suite Life of Zack & Cody," "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia," "The Bold and the Beautiful" and as Detective Murdoch in the Fox TV movie "Catch Me If You Can." He also appeared on stage in "Hairspray" at the Luxor in Las Vegas, Nevada and in a national tour of "Grease" with Cindy Williams. He had a small role in the Penny Marshall-directed film, "A League of Their Own" (1992) as the dance partner of Mae (Madonna) in the bar. Mekka returned to Off-Broadway theatre on July 15, 2008, starring in Steve Solomon's long-running comedy My Mother's Italian, My Father's Jewish & I'm In Therapy! at the Westside Theatre. Mekka reunited with his Laverne & Shirley co-star Cindy Williams in a November 2008 regional production of the Renée Taylor-Joseph Bologna comedy play It Had to Be You. In 2008, Mekka wrapped production in the independent film Code Enforcer. He starred opposite Erin Moran of Happy Days. In 2010, Mekka starred as Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof at the John W. Engeman Theater in Northport, New York, from April 29 until June 20. At the time of his death, he was married to Yvonne Marie Grace and they had one child. He passed away less than a year after co-star David Lander.
Bio by: Anonymous
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